Lawn Fertilizing | Buying The Best Lawn Fertilizer for your yard

Question: My neighbor's lawn looks great; fertilizing his grass seems to be an ongoing passion. Whenever I ask him a question on fertilizing the yard he gets so technical and throws out a bunch of chemical names and numbers. I want to make my yard look better and simply need to know the best lawn fertilizer to buy. Peter, Atlanta, Georgia

Answer: Your lawn or better yet grass is just like people; lawns need food, water and protection to survive. Most of the elements needed for grass to exist can be found naturally in the environment. However, adding fertilizer with three major elements - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to your lawn, you can build a lush beautiful carpet of grass.

Now before you head over to the local garden center to buy a their brand of the "best lawn fertilizer" or think about a homemade lawn fertilizer it's important to understand why your lawn depends and needs nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to flourish.

Major Elements Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus

Nitrogen – Of all the major elements your lawn needs, nitrogen is at the top. This is what give the grass its rich green color and makes it grow sturdy, dense and thick to create a healthy environment. When your lawn is strong and healthy it will naturally fight off bugs and pests and produce a beautiful accent to your house.

Potassium – works right along with the nitrogen to help toughen the roots and foliage – yes grass leaves are foliage – this enhances your lawn's ability to resist drought, wear and tear, disease and cold weather.

Phosphorus – rounds up the big fertilizer three working more under the surface to encourage strong grass root growth.

Buying Lawn Fertilizer - Basics

Most fertilizers found at your local garden center or nursery will all contain the three major elements. But they all come in the same amounts. The major fertilizer elements are represented with a three-digit number such as 12-6-8 or 30-10-10.

Each number is the percentage of each element in the following order: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Each blend of fertilizer serves a different purpose or need. For example, a blend with more potassium is good for preparing grass for winter.

Before choosing any blend of fertilizer it's best to know the grass needs to determine the right combination of the elements. Consider the time of year, the climate, soil type and most importantly the type of grass, health or condition of the lawn – new or established. The more you know the more informed decision you can make.

One way to help determine the current nutrient levels in the soil is with a simple pH test.

Not only does fertilizer come in different percentages of the key and primary elements but also four different fertilizer types. On the fertilizer aisle you'll find:

Granular Lawn Fertilizers

Their ease of use and longevity make this type the most popular. These granular come dry in bagged form making them easy to spread.

Make sure you read the bag, as granular fertilizers are also available in slow time-release formulas. Slow release of the nutrients give fertilization over two to six months – time can vary depending on heat and water. Time-release is an efficient option for homeowners, stretching months between applications.

Granular also comes in fast-release, and applied in the same way as time-released but the nutrients are released faster and work better in cold weather. Fast release fertilizers usually cost less. However, watch out for grass burn and watering will be a key factor to good results.

Liquid Fertilizers

The name says it all – this fertilizer usually comes in a concentrated liquid form. Application is normally done by attaching a hose and nozzle to a spray bottle. The concentrated fertilizer mixes with the water as it's applied. Basically if you can use a hose, you can apply liquid fertilizer with this easy method. Gone is lugging those back breaking 50 pound bags and spreading granular around the yard.

However, liquid fertilizers are not long term, but the nutrients are available immediately to the roots and leaves. With liquid the results are immediate, applications need to be repeated more often than when applying granular. Liquid is more expensive to start with, and can be more costly. There are some liquid organic lawn fertilizer options, check the local garden center to see what they carry.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Why is this type of fertilizer called synthetic? Simply because it is manufactured chemically. Engineered fertilizers make lawns green with their immediate release of nutrients by simply penetrating the soil quicker. The downside – the results don't last very long, so applications of synthetic fertilizer need to be redone more often. Another minus – synthetics can burn your lawn if not applied in a proper manner.

Organic Lawn Fertilizers

This type of fertilizer is made from once living organisms and their bi-products. They are normally applied with lawn fertilizer spreaders, rakes and even by hand. This organic totally natural fertilizer solution tends to break down slowly when releasing nitrogen. They can improve the texture and density of your lawn, especially when amended to soil or sand. One drawback to organics includes a strong foul smell with manures.